Do you want to change the world? First you have to understand it.

As a sociologist, you'll investigate society from a grounded and critical perspective. Our students study everything from crime to religion, developing a unique understanding of what motivates human behavior.

You'll be encouraged to study abroad and apply your substantial training to the real world. Our campus culture is focused on community service and activism, giving you ample opportunities to connect and grow within our community.

Our faculty encourages diverse learning styles, offering many options for personalized courses of study and independent learning. You'll benefit from a well rounded liberal arts education with classes in specialties like women's and gender studies, Africana studies and international relations.

With their technical and intellectual experience, our students find successful careers in community organizing, law, public policy, teaching, higher education and social work.

Program Requirements

The major in sociology encourages each student, based on their interests, to develop a creative combination of courses from the thematic areas offered by the department. Each student majoring in sociology completes five required courses, three electives, and eight semester hours of independent learning. Students work closely with advisors in course selection and planning.

Required Courses

SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology

SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research

SOCI 249 Inequalities

SOCI 325 Applications of Sociological Theory

SOCI 330 Transnational Studies

Generally, SOCI 101 should be completed no later than the sophomore year, SOCI 239 and 249 by the end of the junior year, and SOCI 325 and SOCI 330 in the junior or senior year.

Elective Thematic Areas

Choose three electives from the list below:

Social Justice courses examine social inequalities and ways that groups and communities confront injustices.

Health and Well-Being courses examine the social distribution of health, illness, and health care as a consequence of social inequality.

SOCI 232 Race, Gender and Health

SOCI 241 Health, Illness and Society

SOCI 245 Global Health

SOCI 345 Health Systems and Policy

SOCI 365 Intimate Family Violence: A Multicultural Perspective

Cultural Practices courses emphasize the importance of culture toward a fuller understanding of cultural and social contexts and issues.

SOCI 210 Body Politics

SOCI 261 Urban Sociology

SOCI 266 Sociology of Sports

SOCI 275 Birth and Death

SOCI 321 Sociology of Food

SOCI 344 Sociology of Poetry and Prose

SOCI 365 Intimate Family Violence: A Multicultural Perspective

Social Policy courses examine social issues and how sociological theory and research contributes to the development of meaningful social policies to address those issues

SOCI 231 Sociology of Childhood and Youth

SOCI 262 Criminology

SOCI 263 Sociology of Education

SOCI 345 Health Systems and Policy

SOCI 321 Sociology of Food

Independent Learning

Students may take one of the two following options:

Internship and Portfolio

Thesis

Please see the catalog for more information about the required eight semester hours of Independent Learning.

Minor Requirements

The minor in sociology consists of five courses.

One required course:

SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology

One of the following:

SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research

SOCI 249 Inequalities

SOCI 325 Applications of Sociological Theory

SOCI 330 Transnational Studies

Three elective courses selected from thematic areas after consulting a faculty advisor in the department.

Customize Your Program

Our students can concentrate on one thematic area, or selectively combine courses across them. We welcome you to work with your advisor to tailor a program to your interests and career goals. Simmons offers many options for customizing your studies, including dual majors, accelerated programs and a wide variety of complementary minors.

We also offer a minor in sociology for students pursing other majors. The minor in sociology consists of five courses.

One Required Course:

SOCI 101 Principles of Sociology

One of the Following:

SOCI 239 Introduction to Social Research

SOCI 249 Inequalities

SOCI 325 Applications of Sociological Theory

SOCI 330 Transnational Studies

Three elective courses selected from thematic areas after consulting a faculty advisor in the department.

Internships and Research

In addition to community service/activism, we encourage our students to pursue internships. Through internships you'll sharpen your skills and refine your interests while building your résumé and developing important mentoring relationships.